CPC: world's largest ruling party

Following are some key facts about the CPC:

-- The CPC was founded in July 1921. A total of 12 delegates representing about 50 CPC members nationwide secretly convened at the first CPC national congress in late July in Shanghai. July 1 was later designated as anniversary of the founding of the CPC.

-- As the CPC always represents the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people, it has evolved into a party with over 89 million members, more than the population of Germany.

-- CPC members are from all walks of life. Workers and farmers make up the highest share of 36.95 percent, followed by professionals and management with 25.21 percent. The remaining members are officials, students and the retired.

-- CPC members are grouped in more than 4.5 million grassroots Party units with each having about 20 persons on average. According to the CPC Constitution, a grassroots branch should be established wherever there are more than three Party members. Party branches are expected to be established in space and in deep sea.

-- The CPC says in its Constitution that it is the vanguard of the Chinese working class and of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. It is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and represents the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people. The realization of communism is the highest ideal and ultimate goal of the Party.

-- The CPC takes Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development as its guide to action.

-- Under the principle of democratic centralism, the election of Party congress delegates and Party committee members at all levels should reflect the will of voters. The minority should be subordinate to the majority when making decisions on any matter.

-- The national congress of the Party is held every five years and convened by the CPC Central Committee. It may be convened before the normally scheduled date if the Central Committee deems it necessary or if more than one third of the Party organizations at the provincial level so request. Except under extraordinary circumstances, the congress may not be postponed.

-- The Political Bureau, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Party are elected by the Central Committee in plenary sessions. The general secretary of the Central Committee must be a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau.